What Is ELOP? Guide to California’s Expanded Learning Program

If you’re a parent, educator, or school administrator at an elementary or middle school, you may have heard the term “ELOP” floating around and wondered how it relates to you and how to make the most of these state funded opportunity programs.

In this article, we’ll explain what ELOP means, how ELOP funding works, and the ways schools and parents can make the most of the billions of dollars California is investing in expanded learning opportunities for students by bringing ELOP programs to their campus.

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What is ELOP?

ELOP is a California state funded program established by Assembly Bill 120 in 2021 that gives schools the resources to offer free after school and summer enrichment programs for students in transitional kindergarten through sixth grade.

The goal is to provide Local Educational Agencies, which include school districts, charter schools, and county offices of education, with additional funding to give students more time for hands on learning, physical activity, social emotional development, and academic support outside the regular school day.

ELOP programs are designed to complement what happens in the classroom by extending the school experience beyond regular hours. This can include after school STEM programs, art projects, sports, or music enrichment classes, where students have the opportunity to work collaboratively with their peers.

California now allocates roughly $4 billion annually toward expanded learning, making ELOP one of the largest state after school investments in the country.

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What does ELOP stand for?

ELOP or ELO-P stands for the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program.

The "expanded learning" part is key. According to the CDE, expanded learning means before school, afterschool, summer, or intersession programs that focus on developing the academic, social, emotional, and physical needs and interests of students. The legislature designed these programs to be student-centered, results-driven, and community-partnered.

In practice, the ELOP meaning boils down to this: more enrichment opportunities for elementary-age kids, funded by the state, at no cost to families.

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How ELOP funding works

One of the most common questions parents and administrators have is about ELOP funding and where the money comes from.

Here's the short version: ELOP is funded through California's state education budget. It is not a federal program.

Where does ELOP funding come from?

ELOP funds are apportioned to school districts and charter schools by the CDE through the Principal Apportionment process. The amount each district receives is based on two factors:

• Prior year average daily attendance (ADA) for TK through 6th grade students in classroom-based settings
• Unduplicated Pupil Percentage (UPP) for TK through 12th grade, which counts students who are English learners, eligible for free or reduced-price meals, or foster youth

Districts with a higher UPP receive more funding per student. Specifically, districts where 75% or more of TK-6 students are unduplicated pupils (sometimes called "Tier 1" districts) receive a higher statutory rate.

Districts below that threshold ("Tier 2") receive a variable rate based on remaining funds.

How long will ELOP funding last in California?

ELOP is ongoing state funding, not a one-time grant. It has been reauthorized in subsequent budget years since its launch in 2021-22. However, districts do need to spend their allocations within specific deadlines or return unused funds to the state.

Here are the current expenditure deadlines:

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Starting in 2025-26, districts may choose to opt out of the program under Senate Bill 153. But for the vast majority of California schools, ELOP funding remains an active and significant part of their budgets.

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ELOP program requirements

The California Department of Education has specific program requirements that schools and districts must meet to maintain their funding.

Hours and days

The overall expanded learning offering at a school site must meet these minimum duration requirements:

• During school days: At least nine total hours of combined instructional time and afterschool programming per day
• Non-school days (summer, intersession, breaks): At least nine hours of in-person expanded learning per day, for a minimum of 30 days per year

Individual enrichment activities within the program can be shorter, as long as the site's full schedule meets these minimums.

This means that if a school or district uses one vendor for general childcare, they can still bring in another vendor that specializes in STEM programs to complement their existing offerings.

Program plan

Every district receiving ELOP funds must develop and submit a program plan. This plan must be approved by the district's governing board at a public meeting and posted on the district's website.

The CDE provides a Program Plan Guide template to help districts structure this document.

Access requirements

This is where it gets important for families. Districts with a UPP of 75% or more must offer the ELOP program to all TK-6 students.

Districts below that threshold must, at minimum, offer access to students in the unduplicated categories: English learners, students eligible for free or reduced-price meals, and foster youth.

No student should be turned away from ELOP programming. If a student's school doesn't offer a program but another school in the district does, the district must arrange access and cover transportation costs.

Audits and reporting

Districts should expect audits. The CDE publishes annual audit procedures, and districts are required to submit expenditure reports. Funds not spent by the deadline must be returned to the state.

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What ELOP programs look like

So what does an actual ELOP program look like at your child's school? It varies by district and site, but most programs share some common elements.

Typical afterschool activities

ELOP-funded programs often include a mix of the following:

• Homework assistance and academic tutoring
• STEM and STEAM enrichment (robotics, coding, science experiments)
• Arts programming (visual arts, music, theater)
• Physical activity and organized sports
• Social-emotional learning activities
• Nutrition education and healthy snacks or meals

The community partner model

One of the legislative intentions behind ELOP is that programs should include community partners.

Many districts contract with local organizations like All Things Science, YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs, and other youth-serving organizations to deliver afterschool programming.

This keeps the activities fresh and different from the regular school day, and it connects students with unique activities and experiences that they may not already receive during regular school hours.

Meals during ELOP

ELOP funds can cover meals served during program hours, provided the district first seeks reimbursement through existing nutrition service programs. This means your child can get a snack or supper as part of their afterschool experience at no extra cost.

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Who qualifies for ELOP?

This is a question every parent wants answered. The good news: ELOP is designed to be widely accessible.

Priority access

ELOP specifically targets students who fall into one or more of these categories:

• Students eligible for free or reduced-price meals
• English learners
• Foster youth
• Students experiencing housing instability

For these students, ELOP programming is free and prioritized.

Open access

In Tier 1 districts (where 75% or more of students are unduplicated pupils), the program must be offered to every TK-6 student, regardless of income.

In Tier 2 districts, the program must at minimum be offered to unduplicated students, though districts can (and often do) open enrollment more broadly.

Income requirements

There are no formal ELOP income requirements for participation in many districts, especially Tier 1 districts. However, Tier 2 districts that serve non-unduplicated students above and beyond their required access levels may charge family fees to offset costs.

Check with your school's front office or expanded learning coordinator for specifics.

Enrollment is voluntary

It's worth noting that participation in ELOP is always voluntary. No student is required to attend. But if a parent requests placement, the district is obligated to accommodate that request.

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How to use an ELOP schedule template

If you're a school administrator or PTA leader helping to plan your site's ELOP offerings, an ELOP schedule template can save you a lot of time.

A good template helps you map out the daily and weekly structure of your program and ensure you're meeting the state's hour and day requirements.

What to include in your schedule

A solid ELOP schedule template should cover:

• Daily time blocks showing the transition from the instructional day to expanded learning hours
• Activity rotations with designated times for academics, enrichment, physical activity, and nutrition
• Staffing assignments showing who leads each block
• Weekly and seasonal variations accounting for minimum days, intersession periods, and summer programming
• Total daily hours to verify you're meeting the nine-hour requirement

Tips for building your schedule

Start with your school's bell schedule and work backward. If your instructional day runs from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., you need afterschool programming to run until at least 5:00 p.m. to hit nine total hours.

Build in buffer time for transitions, snack, and outdoor play.

For summer and intersession days, the full nine hours of programming must be provided in person, so plan for a longer, more varied schedule with field trips, guest speakers, and project-based learning blocks.

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ELOP summer programs

ELOP summer programs are a huge benefit for families who need reliable, enriching care during school breaks. The state requires districts to offer at least 30 non-school days of expanded learning per year, and summer is typically where most of those days fall.

What ELOP summer programs offer

Summer ELOP sessions usually look different from the afterschool program. With a full nine hours to work with, providers can offer deeper project-based learning, longer field trips, outdoor recreation, and multi-day arts or STEM camps.

Many districts partner with community organizations to deliver specialized summer camps under the ELOP umbrella.

Why it matters for families

Free, full-day summer programming removes a major barrier for working families.

Instead of piecing together childcare from multiple sources, parents can rely on a single, school-based program that's safe, supervised, and educational.

If your district offers ELOP summer programming, enrollment information is typically shared in the spring through school newsletters and the district website.

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ELOP jobs and staffing

The rapid expansion of ELOP has created thousands of new jobs across California. If you're looking for ELOP program jobs, or you're an administrator trying to staff your program, here's what to know.

Types of ELOP positions

Common ELOP job titles include:

• Expanded learning site coordinator
• Afterschool program lead or group leader
• Enrichment instructor (arts, STEM, sports, etc.)
• Program assistant or aide
• Literacy coach or high-dosage tutor

Who can work in ELOP?

ELOP positions don't always require a teaching credential, though many sites prefer candidates with experience in education, youth development, or recreation. Some districts hire college students, retired educators, and community volunteers to fill roles.

Training related to expanded learning can be funded through ELOP dollars, including asynchronous professional development.

Where to find ELOP jobs

Check your local school district’s employment page and community partner organizations like All Things Science, YMCA, or Boys & Girls Clubs. Many PTA and school foundation networks also share job postings for expanded learning positions.

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ELOP programs with All Things Science

If your school is looking for ways to use ELOP funding effectively, All Things Science partners with elementary and K–8 schools across California to provide hands on STEM programs during after school and summer expanded learning time.

All Things Science brings the instructors, curriculum, and materials, covering topics like rocketry, robotics, 3D printing, circuits, chemistry, engineering, and more.

If you are a parent or school leader exploring ELOP options, we would be happy to connect and share how we can support your campus and add meaningful STEM enrichment to your ELOP schedule.

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ELOP FAQ

What does ELOP stand for in education?

ELOP stands for Expanded Learning Opportunities Program. It is a California program that funds free after school and summer enrichment for students in transitional kindergarten through sixth grade.

Is ELOP federally funded?

No. ELOP is funded by the State of California. Some districts may combine it with federal programs like 21st Century Community Learning Centers or ASES.

What is ELOP funding used for?

ELOP funding supports after school and summer programs. It can cover staff, enrichment activities, supplies, transportation, meals, and training for program staff.

Where does ELOP funding come from?

ELOP funding comes from California’s General Fund. It is distributed to districts and charter schools based on student attendance and their Unduplicated Pupil Percentage.

What are the ELOP program requirements in California?

Schools must offer at least nine total hours per day of combined instructional and expanded learning time. They must also provide at least 30 non school days of programming each year and post a board approved program plan.

Can charter schools receive ELOP funds?

Yes. Charter schools are eligible and must submit their own program plan to receive funding.

How long will ELOP funding last?

ELOP is ongoing state funding, not a short term grant. It has been renewed each year since it began in 2021 and remains part of California’s education budget.

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